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Comment by John E Windsor on July 25, 2012 at 3:12pm

I spent several months doing my research, reading what was available and watching lots of videos about aquaponics. I even read Sylvia's book. Although we still have a lot to learn, in April we jumped in and started putting together our system. There have been no major mistakes, we only lost two fish and we have had some veggies to eat. I have added a 4' x 20' DWC to the four IBC media beds we have to complete the loop in creating our hybrid system. This forum has been very beneficial and I thank everyone who has contributed their experiences.

I was very much looking forward to getting my hands on a book that had been promised to answer all of questions about what we are doing here. News of the release of that book came this morning, but with the $1000 price tag. With limited income and a family to care for, the knowledge we need won't be coming from that source. We're $900 short. I don't believe aquaponics is limited to those who have the finances to purchase high dollar training and literature.

HOWponics, JW

Comment by Jim Hall on July 25, 2012 at 1:43pm

Worm Tea answer to it all? Maybe not, but close. I generally mix about 32oz of dark, cola colored worm juice from the worm bin, mine or a friends, with enough water from my AP to make about 4gal in a bucket with a bubbler actively oxygenating the water. I add about 2 oz organic molasses high in iron and let it bubble and brew for 24 hours so the top is frothy like rootbeer. Then do foliar or just add to AP and plants really kick it up a notch. The water gets a bit dark, but clears over time and fish just seem to get the munchies and act hungrier. I used Maxicrop w/iron in the past. Good worm tea works best to me.

Comment by Ken Elrich on July 25, 2012 at 1:24pm

found it:  Chelated Iron

Comment by Ken Elrich on July 25, 2012 at 1:22pm

@ deborah - I remember seeing a youtube video by member murray hallaum http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/profile/MurrayHallam he added a Iron supplement to a system, it was in powder form. I have found that the pot smoking clerks in a hydro store don't understand or most of the time dont even know what aquaponics is. try doing search on youtube for murray hallaum. If I find it I will come back and post the link for it.

Comment by Ken Elrich on July 25, 2012 at 1:15pm

Lights wave lengths have a lot to do with it also. they are measured in "Warmth" is how you may see it on the box. 2700 and 5000 one is for flowering and the other is for growing veggies. how long has your system been circulating? it takes a few months for a system to completely balance out.

Comment by Deborah Susan Berry on July 25, 2012 at 1:01pm

And is there anyone on this web site that lives near Virginia Beach could you please contact me I would love to have you come and take a look at my system and offer some advice...

Comment by Deborah Susan Berry on July 25, 2012 at 12:58pm

Ok before my husband divorces me can someone please tell me why The blossoms are not setting fruit? someone told me to go get some kind of Iron... I went to the Hydroponics store and they told me to use a Calcium-Magnesium Supplement. So I bought it and then after I paid $17. for it... he told me he was concerned for my fish... And that if he were me he would only use it half strength... What the heck??? Can I use it or not???  I am ready to throw the entire green house to the dump. I have spent hundreds of dollars on this system and nothing... but a lot of Beautiful green plants. I finally took some of the plants out and planted them in the flower beds just so I could have a few tomatoes. I have only gotten two cukes from the entire system so far. hubby says it the most expensive cuke he"s ever eaten. And he's done pouring money into it. : (

Comment by Tom OBrien on July 13, 2012 at 7:58am

The DE appears to be working. Mmm. Looks like aphids in powdered sugar.

 

Time to take out the experimental tomatoes we started with and swap them out for some beans or broccoli. We got a couple ripe plum tomatoes and the plants grew very tall and took over the space, but I don't think there is enough light or heat for them in the basement. 

Comment by Dave Mannina on July 12, 2012 at 10:20pm

My wife and I are struggling a bit. We need more fish and we had to adjust the plumbing. We are learning along the way. Hot temperatures right now. Oh and we are busy. Dang ! But happy to learn. Fill you all in later. Dave & Sue :-)   We R Glad 2 B A part of this community.

Comment by Tom OBrien on July 9, 2012 at 9:23am

Well, at least I've finally grown a bumper crop of something.

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